Mellerio. Gold and diamonds “rose” brooch.

History of the Jeweller to the queens, culture and sport

 

Mellerio actually the oldest jeweler in the world

We are in Paris, 1613 under the regency of Marie de Medici.  A chimney sweeper from Val Vigezzo discovered a premeditated plot to murder of King Louis XIII.  He warned the regent, who then decided to reward the young Jean-Baptiste Mellerio and his Lombard community.  By decree of the council of the King dated October 10, 1613, granting them the unique privilege of "wear and sell cut crystal, hardware and other small goods" throughout the kingdom ... Thus began the jewelry business with the family, who were initially mere peddlers of baubles who then became suppliers to high society.

In particular, since the second half of the 18th century, the Mellerio’s succeeded in Paris.  At fifteen, Jean-Baptiste Mellerio made a “marmotte”, a small, folding case used to transport jewelry.  He installed his goods near the gate of Versailles Chateau and made himself popular with his silliness and good humor. He then gained access to Versailles for Queen Marie-Antoinette was quite amused.

 

Jeweler to the Queens, Culture and Sport

During the Empire, Mellerio was one of suppliers to the Empress Josephine, and his clients included Pauline Borghese, Napoleon's sister, Marshals Victor, Ney, Augereau, Lefebvre, the Duchesses de Broglie and de Clermont- Tonnerre, Comtesse de Segur and Mademoiselle Mars ... In 1815, the Mellerio firm moved to 9 rue de la Paix, near the Place Vendome. Thus being the first jeweler to open on this street, now emblematic of French luxury.

Since then the firm was passed down from generation to generation. The current management represents the fourteenth generation since 1613!

 

Bracelet by  MELLERIO, sold by  Expertissim, winter 2010

 

Aside from being the jeweler to the queens, he was also "the silversmith for sport". He was the  creator of the Cravache d'or (award for jockeys in French flat races)  and theMusketeers Trophy (French Open Tennis of Roland Garros). And carried the role as "Jeweler for the Immortals" (French Academy) for over half a century by creating ceremonial academic swords for Jacques Bainville, Charles Maurras, Jacques Soustelle, Bertrand Poirot-Delpech, André Frossard and François Cheng.

 

Brooch "Joueur de Golf" by MELLERIO, sold by Expertissim, winter 2010

 

Combining the creative vitality of his original Italian elegance and French classicism, creations by Mellerio were the most unique, created and made on demand.

Each object from their workshop is an exceptional French object and Expertissim is pleased to offer as such.

 

Albane Piot- Ecole du Louvre

OBJECTS ON SALE all

SOLD OBJECTS all

EXPERT'S PAGE

Reference: 2011030393

Signature: Mellerio

Items 1

Valuation:
$1,014-$1,268

MELLERIO.
Flower brooch representing a matted yellow-gold rose partially set with small diamonds. Articulated petals.

Signed Mellerio and numbered 2072.

Height: 4.5 cm (1-3/4 in.) - Width: 3.5 cm (1-1/4 in.).

Overall weight: 21.8 gr (3/4 oz.).